Bobby Womack will perform at the Riverfront Theater in Chicago as part of Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements.Associated Press file photo

Take a stroll through history on the Oakwood Cemetery Walk on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The Waterleaf Food & Wine Festival Saturday features 100 different wines at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

George Lopez brings his brand of humor to the Chicago Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 22.

A tractor parade is part of the fun at the annual Farm Heritage Festival at the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.Daily Herald file photo

By Scott Morgan and Laura Stewart

Harvest Pow WowSee and take part in Native American dancing, cultural demonstrations and more at the Harvest Pow Wow at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Family activities include children's games, crafts and more. Admission is $8 for adults and children (ages 5-12); $6 for seniors. (773) 585-1744 or midwestsoarring.org or napersettlement.museum. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23

Riverside variety The Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements is back with a variety of performers like Bobby Womack, Conor Oberst, Zola Jesus and Helado Negro appearing on bills with comedians like H. Jon Benjamin, Brian Babylon, Seaton Smith and more this weekend at the Riverfront Theater, 650 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. $10-$30. riverfronttheater.com. 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 21-23 (some shows begin at 5 p.m.)

Back to basicsThe Smithereens emerged in the mid-1980s with a classic debut record, "Especially for You," that featured stripped-down garage rock with a '60s-pop flair. Their sound is loud and guitar-heavy, but with a romantic sense supplied by frontman Pat DiNizio's vocals. The band took a long hiatus at the end of the 1990s, but it's back on the road in support of a new record, "The Smithereens 2011." The band is known for its energetic (and very loud) live act, so this show at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, is a good bet for the weekend. Tickets start at $20. Go to viper-alley.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Kansas carries onBands named after geographical places were a hit in the 1970s -- America, Chicago, Boston. Not to be forgotten is Kansas, which combined classic guitar rock with some progressive-rock touches, like strings and keyboards. Kansas scored huge arena-rock hits with songs like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind." The 2012 version of the group, which features several original members, stops at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39 to $79. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

Life on the farmSee a variety of farm equipment and watch sheepherding demonstrations and a tractor parade at the annual Farm Heritage Festival at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road, Wauconda. Other activities include music, a petting zoo, food and more. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for seniors and kids, and free for ages 3 or younger. Admission includes entry to the Lake County Discovery Museum. (847) 968-3400 or lcfpd.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23

Finds for FidoLeave your furry, feathered or scaly loved ones at home and go shopping for them at the Midwest Pet Expo this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $6. (847) 680-7200 or petshowevents.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23

Art on the PrairieView a wide variety of art at the Art on the Prairie juried fine art fair at the Warrenville City Hall, 3S258 Manning Ave., Warrenville. The event also features entertainment, children's activities and more. Free admission. (630) 393-9427 or warrenville.il.us. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23

Pinstripes rolls into Oak BrookGet ready to bowl and play bocce at Pinstripes' fourth location, which opens at 7 Oakbrook Center Mall in Oak Brook this weekend. The 40,000-square-foot venue includes 16 bowling lanes, six indoor and four outdoor bocce courts, two outdoor fire pits, and a bistro and bar. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, menu highlights include $10 bottomless chopped salad and spaghetti on Mondays and $4 burgers while bowling or playing bocce on Tuesdays. (630) 575-8700 or pinstripes.com. Opens at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Autumn FairThe family-oriented Autumn Fair features a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, crafts and more at Peck Farm Park, 38W199 Kaneville Road, Geneva. This family event includes a "Birds of Prey" exhibit, entertainment, basket raffles and more. Visit the butterfly house before it closes for the season. Food, beverages and pumpkins available for purchase. Admission is free. This annual fundraising event benefits special projects chosen by the Geneva Park District Foundation. (630) 232-4542 or genevaparks.org. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Tasting timeTwo local breweries and more than 100 wines are part of the Daily Herald-sponsored Waterleaf Food & Wine Festival, which also includes artisanal cheeses, hors d'oeuvres, pastries and music from the Shawn Maxwell Trio Saturday surrounding the Waterleaf Restaurant at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $40-$45. Must be 21 or older to attend. (630) 942-6881 or waterleafrestaurant.com. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Bout timesSix championship belts are on the line in more than 20 fights as part of MMA Unleashed presented by the American Predator Fighting Championship Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $23-$63; $83 VIP seats. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Elgin Short Film FestivalComedian Mike Toomey will present the top five films at the Elgin Short Film Festival at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin: Fourth annual film festival will be at. General admission is $5. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges, and audience members will cast their votes for their favorite film. Awards and monetary prizes for the top three films. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Laughs for LopezComedian and TV star George Lopez returns to standup for a Saturday night show at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $60.50-$68. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Gotta get a gourdBuy some colorful gourds for decoration or take part in gourd-crafting activities at the Autumn Gourd Fest at Alexian Village, 975 Martha St., Elk Grove Village. Other highlights include a drum circle, storytelling, artists demonstrations, harvest treats, a raffle and a bonfire. Free admission. (847) 437-8070. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23

Ghosts from the pastThe Elgin Area Historical Society hosts its 25th annual Historic Elgin Cemetery Walk at Bluff City Cemetery, 941 Bluff City Blvd., Elgin. Various historical Elgin residents, including the director of the Hiawatha pageant and a husband and wife who donated Lords Park to Elgin, will be portrayed by current local residents. A presentation on Victorian superstitions is also included. Advance tickets are available at the Elgin History Museum, at 360 Park St., and at Ace Hardware, at 258 N. Spring St. in Elgin. Advance tickets cost $7; $5 for seniors and kids ages 13-18. Tickets cost $8 at the gate. (847) 742-4248 or elginhistory.org. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23

Get articles sent to your inbox.

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the X in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.